Sirmium

The archaeological remains of the ancient city of Sirmium are situated under the present-day city of Sremska Mitrovica. The settlement existed before the Roman conquest of Pannonia when it was inhabited by the native comunities of Amantinеs and Sirmiensis, after whom the latter city was named. Its history began at the end of the I century BC and lasted until the Avars’ conquest in 582. Sirmium was the center of the province Pannonia Secunda, and after the reforms of Diocletian (after 293) it became one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire. During long-term systematic archaeological research numerous monumental buildings were discovered, among which are the remains of the imperial palace complex, trades and crafts’ quarter and urban villa presented within the inner historical centre of the modern city. Sirmium was the center of the diocese and the place of suffering of many Christian martyrs, whose cult was partly maintained during the medieval period. The preserved remains of the city’s basilica from the first half of the V century, which is associated with St Demetrius, the most famous Sirmium saint and protector of Sremska Mitrovica remind us of that period.